Google's iPhone Killer? Pixel And Pixel XL Smartphones Introduced

At its event in San Francisco today, Google debuted its two newest flagship phones - the Pixel and the Pixel XL.

The Pixel phones are the latest to run Android Nougat, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system.

The Pixel and Pixel XL are both powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of Ram and come with 32GB or 128GB of internal storage. At this time, there’s no microSD card slot for expansion. Both phones have a 12.3-megapixel f/2.0 aperture camera on the back and an 8-megapizel front-facing camera on the front. Google says the Pixel Phone cameras scored an 89, which is the highest camera waiting for any smartphone camera. The Pixel will offer a 5-inch display while the Pixel XL will have a 5.5-inch screen.

While the two phones are pretty much the same, the battery capacity is different. The Pixel has a 2,770 mAh battery and the Pixel XL has a 3,450 mAh battery.

The Pixels are the first phones to come with Google Assistant. Users can speak to their phones to perform different activities. You can access Google Assistant by touching and holding the home button and saying the “OK, Google” command.

In Google’s event demo, Google Assistant was used to bring up photos from the past, and can also play your music when you ask it to play, choosing your favorite default music app. It also integrates the Google Now on Tap functionality, which allows users to swipe up with information on the screen, seeing things like a restaurant name, restaurant reviews and the restaurant’s address. Google Assistant can also take your reservation by using voice prompts.

Google also built in 24-hour live phone support into the Pixel’s software, making it so a tech support operator can see what’s on your screen and help you out. The Pixel does come with Google Duo preinstalled, so you can take advantage of the company’s video chat app.

With the Pixel phones, Google is technically replacing its Nexus line or putting it on hold for now. The Pixels will sport the “G” logo which is seen on other devices, though they have similar look and feel of the Nexus.

The Pixel and Pixel XL phones are available for pre-order starting today and will come in black, blue, and silver, and the company says they are the first phones “designed inside and out by Google.” In the U.S., the Pixel and Pixel XL will be exclusive on Version. The Pixel and Pixel XL phones will be available from the Google Store, starting for a price of $649. If you’re looking to get 128GB of storage the price goes up to $749, and $769 for the Pixel XL with 32GB, or $869 for the Pixel XL with 128GB.

Those who live in Canada, Germany and the UK will have to wait until Oct. 13 to pre-order the Pixel and Pixel XL.